Wrestling U17 World Championships: Ronak Dahiya reaches 110kg Greco-Roman semifinals; Nishant Phogat, Bikash Kachhap bow out

Ronak Dahiya was the sole Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to advance to the semifinals of the Wrestling U17 World Championships on Monday, August 19. The other five wrestlers faced difficulties progressing through their respective draws on the opening day of the prestigious Cadet event. Dahiya made headlines with his impressive run in the 110kg Greco-Roman wrestling category.

On Monday, Dahiya secured his place in the Wrestling U17 World Championships semifinals with a series of dominant performances that have captured the attention of wrestling enthusiasts and provided a much-needed boost for the Indian team. Dahiya, who hails from the renowned Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, showcased exceptional skill and determination, standing out as the lone Indian wrestler to advance past the early rounds.

Dahiya's journey to the semifinals began with an impressive 8-1 victory over Artur Manvelian, where his tactical acumen and strength on the mat were on full display. Building on a strong start, he delivered another commanding performance in the quarterfinals, defeating Daniil Maslakou by technical superiority.

The exceptional performance highlighted Dahiya’s talent and ensured his spot in the Wrestling U17 World Championships semifinals, where he will face Hungary’s Zoltan Czako.

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Other results at the Wrestling U17 World Championships

While Dahiya’s success has been a highlight, the opening day of the U17 World Championships saw several other Indian wrestlers struggling to advance. Nishant Phogat, competing in the 80kg category, secured a win in his qualification round with a 7-1 victory over Algeria’s Mohamed Abadi.

However, Phogat’s journey was cut short in the subsequent round, where he was eliminated on criteria by Moldova’s Nichita Apostol, marking a disappointing end to his campaign.

The U17 World Championships also proved tough for Bikash Kachhap in the 48kg category as he was knocked out in the early stages. Meanwhile, Anuj (65kg) and Samrath Gajanan (55kg) remain in contention, with their semifinal bouts determining their progress in the competition.